Cannot Synchronize Time on a Cluster (245067)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Cluster Server

This article was previously published under Q245067
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256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

You may be unable to synchronize the time against a time source on your cluster. You cannot use the Timeserv utility from the Resource Kit because its name is already being used by the cluster Timeserv service.

If you attempt to add a second Time Server resource within a single cluster using Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS), an error message similar to the following text may be displayed:
An error occurred attempting to read properties for the 'Time2' resource. The cluster resource could not be created in the specified resource monitor. Error ID: 5017 (00001399)

CAUSE

The Timeserv service used in clustering is designed only to provide a consistent cluster-wide time, but does not allow real-time synchronization. Note that this service is not mandatory for cluster reliability purposes and can be deleted to use Resource Kit utilities such as Timeserv or W32Time instead.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To use a Resource Kit utility instead, remove the Timeserv cluster resource:
  1. In the Cluster Administration tool, set the Time Service resource to offline.
  2. Delete the Time Service resource.
  3. Move the cluster group to the other node.
  4. Delete the Timeserv key in the following registry key on both nodes:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services

  5. Install the Time Service or W32Time Resource Kit utility from the following Microsoft FTP site:
Note that removing the Timeserv cluster resource does not affect the reliability of the cluster.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0, Enterprise Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

The Timeserv and W32Time Resource Kit utilities use .ini files to configure their role and primary time source, and run as services.

For information about their installation and use, including year 2000 (Y2K) information, see the following Microsoft FTP site:

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/5/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB245067